In Aeternum | Eternal life | EN | IN | ES

I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand - John 10:28

Photo by Pexels.com

Believe and you'll be saved

22 At that time the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem. It was winter, 23 and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the colonnade of Solomon. 24 So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly." 25 Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name bear witness about me, 26 but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep. 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, we all know that when Jesus lived on earth, there were so many people who rejected Him. They didn't wholeheartedly accept His teachings although Jesus had done so many miraculous things right before their eyes! Jesus even showed His great compassion and love to them. Nevertheless, they were spiritually blind, they saw all the great things Jesus had done but couldn't understand them. They incessantly looked for ways to find fault in Him. 

Sadly though, they were the Jews, who were actually God's chosen people! Jesus came to His chosen people but they were against Him instead of welcoming Him with open arms. They didn't believe in His teachings and worse than that, they didn't believe Him! They were expecting signs from Him to prove that He is the promised Messiah (John 10:24).

But Jesus clearly pointed out to them that only His sheep recognized His voice (John 10: 26). His sheep hear His voice and therefore, believe in Him without any doubt. Furthermore, in this passage Jesus convinced His sheep that they will always be safe in His hands, He will give eternal life to those who believe in Him (John 10:28). What a fixed assurance we have in Jesus! 

From today's reflection we are reminded of two important things, they are: first, as believers in Jesus we have to put our trust in Jesus, believe in Him and His words undoubtedly. Don't be like the Jews who rejected Jesus and His teachings although Jesus had been with them for quite a long time but they still didn't believe in Him.

Second, we may rejoice in the Lord because we know for sure that we are forever safe in God's protective hands because Jesus is the good Shepherd and we are His sheep. 

Simply put, let us believe in Jesus wholeheartedly and He will forever be with us, protect us against any harm or evil because we are His beloved sheep. Amen 

Reflection on John 10 : 22-42 by Linda

(Listen to podcast here)

Sow

He who reaps receives wages and gathers fruit to eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together – John 4:36

Photo by Pexels.com

What is the Gospel? The Gospel or the Book of the Gospel comes from the Arabic Al - Injil, Greek Euangelion, which means GOOD NEWS (Good news about Jesus Christ so it can also be called news of joy, news of peace, news of salvation). In the Bible there are 4 gospels Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Why are these books included in the gospels? Because they present the narrative of Jesus Christ from His birth to His resurrection. In Matthew 28:19, it states "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”. The message of these words is the great commission of the Lord Jesus Christ to mankind.

Who has the right to preach the gospel? Of course, all believers are obliged to convey and preach this gospel. In carrying out the task of evangelism, it will be effective if the gospel lives in us, meaning that the produced fruits can bring impact to others. People may listen to our advice, guidance, sermons, teachings, but what is truly felt and seen is our actions. Therefore, the gospel must truly live in us and we should live in the gospel. Preaching the gospel is like a sower sowing seed. John tells the story of the sower, Jesus, who sowed the seed to the Samaritan woman, and the seed that was sown produced the results (truth) that the Samaritan woman reaped. The truth is that the sower and the reaper both rejoice.

Preaching the gospel is not just words, but a whole life given to sowing righteousness through all aspects of life. Jesus Christ is an example of a true sower who is willing to give his life as a seed to be sown so that we as a people reap salvation. Indeed, sowing is a hard time. Psalm 126:5-6 states "Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them."

If in this life, we are not given the opportunity to reap what we sow, remember God's promise in Matthew 5:11-12: “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

The preaching of the gospel is not like a seed that waits for harvest time to reap, but is carried out at every moment and time must be preached. Not just preaching, but we should really live surrendered to God. Carrying the cross of God is full of challenges and trials, but if you surrender to God, there will be hope and miracles will be revealed because in every storm of life, there must be a beautiful rainbow waiting. Proverbs 3:5-6 states “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Reflection Questions:

1. Who sowed the seeds of good news in your life? 

     Do you believe they were sent by God for your salvation?

2. Do you sow good news? What is your experience?

3. Have you ever "reaped" bringing someone to Jesus? What did you feel?

God bless. Amen

Reflection on John 4: 27-54 by Aldo Tridarma Mona

 

Exsultavit spiritus (Lk. 1:47)

 

Dear Friends in Christ,

Rejoice!  Does that simple word fill you with wonder and happiness?  Those feelings summarize the readings of Sunday!  Something great is about to happen!  Whatever could be greater than God becoming man?!?

John the Baptist is filled with this wonder, knowing that he is preparing the way for someone greater:  “the one who is coming after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie.”  But how sad, yet true:  “there is one among you whom you do not recognize.”

Today, we can ask ourselves if we recognize Christ in the people we daily meet.

Isaiah, long before John the Baptist, recognized and rejoiced in the realization of what God would do at some point in history he exclaimed:  “I rejoice heartily in the Lord!”  prophesizing all that would happen when Emanuel comes.

As we are coming to the end of this beautiful Advent Season filled with gloom and suffering from the coronavirus, we need to take very seriously the words of St. Paul: “Rejoice always.  Pray without ceasing.  In all circumstances give thanks… May the God of peace make you perfectly holy and may you entirely, spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

My prayer for each of you!

By Sr. Mary Vivette, SND